In May 2006, the California Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (CAHSA) honored Alex Candalla, Executive Director from the Terraces of Los Gatos (located in Los Gatos, California) as CAHSA Mentor of the Year.

 

Graduating in 1995 with a Masters Degree in Gerontology from San Francisco State University and an emphasis in Long-Term Care Administration, Candalla began his career at the Terraces as Assisted Living Manager. Candalla obtained a California Nursing Home Administrator’s License in 1998 and was promoted to Assistant Administrator at the Terraces of Los Gatos that same year and Executive Director in May 1999. In 2004, Candalla received the ABHOW Executive Director of the Year award.

 

Candalla is a member of CAHSA serving as Vice-Chair of the CAHSA Santa Rey region for two years, a member of the CAHSA CCRC sub-committee, Chair of the CAHSA Santa Rey region, and member of CAHSA’s nominating committee.

 

Candalla became a Certified Preceptor for Administrators in Training (AITs) and has served as a preceptor for five AITs. CAHSA defines the mentor award as “recognizing the outstanding efforts of an individual who has mentored a protégé(s) in the not-for-profit senior services field. A mentor has nurtured, coached, counseled and encouraged others in order to help them develop personally and professionally.” 

 

Kay Kallander shares, “Alex has mentored more than any other Executive Director that I am aware of. Whenever I called Alex and asked if he would be willing to take on a student, the answer was always yes.”

 

Rosalie Felix, the Director of Nursing from the Terraces states, “I am currently the Director of Nursing, and I can say that I would not have had the courage to be in this position if it were not for him.” In addition, Christopher Ichien, Director of Resident Services for the Terraces further reflects, “Alex has been there for me and my career. I could not ask for a better mentor!”